Mark Shelby
Mark Selby dug typically deep to defeat former International Champion Zhang Anda 4-3 on the final black at the English Open in Brentwood.
The Leicester cueman is in a rich vein of form, having claimed a fourth China Open title last month and lost the British Open final last weekend against Jak Jones. Four-time World Champion Selby admitted to being exhausted after that match, but is battling on to remain in contention here in Brentwood.
Zhang, having made a century run of 109 to force a decider, appeared to be in the box seat in the final frame. However, a fine clearance of 39 from Selby saw him snatch victory on the black.
“I feel like I’m playing some good stuff. I’m scoring when I get my chances and because I’m confident I’m happy to scrap it out. A few seasons ago, when I felt I was struggling, I got down on myself. When the games went scrappy I wasn’t out there fighting. Now because things are going good I have the fight in me,” said 43-year-old Selby.
“A lot of that goes back to when I spoke out and mentioned my mental health. At the time, I was struggling mentally. If you are struggling mentally it is hard to give it your all and still fight out there. At the moment I’m in a far better place. I’m still on medication and I’m still speaking to the doctor who helped me to turn it all around.”
Selby now faces the prospect of a last 16 meeting with Kyren Wilson, who prevailed 4-3 against recent Wuhan Open champion Chang Bingyu. Wilson’s victory was almost identical to Selby’s, also clinching the tie on the final black with a break of 39.
Wilson said: “Chang has had a fantastic season. If someone had said to me it would be 3-3 and I’d have a chance to win I’d have taken that.
“Mark has had a great season. He is playing very good snooker so I’m looking forward to it. My game has been hit or miss. I’m working hard. I’ve lost a bit of weight and I’m practising a lot on the table. I can’t do much more.”
World Champion Wu Yize came through 4-2 against Xu Si and now faces Liam Davies, who was a 4-1 victor against Wang Xinbo.
Judd Trump booked his progression thanks to a 4-1 defeat of Ashley Carty. He now plays Scotland’s Anthony McGill, who prevailed 4-1 against former European Masters winner Fan Zhengyi.
SECOND ROUND RESULTS
Zhou Yuelong (Chn) bt Chris Wakelin (Eng) 4-3
Ding Junhui (Chn) bt Ashley Hugill (Eng) 4-2
Barry Hawkins (Eng) bt Daniel Wells (Wal) 4-1
Joe O’Connor (Eng) bt Sam Craigie (Eng) 4-2
Yuan Sijun (Chn) bt Oliver Lines (Eng) 4-3
Mark Shelby (Eng) bt Zhang Anda (Chn) 4-3
Liam Davies (Wal) bt Wang Xinbo (Chn) 4-1
Gong Chenzhi (Chn) bt Luo Zetao (Chn) 4-1
Kyren Wilson (Eng) bt Chang Bingyu (Chn) 4-3
Judd Trump (Eng) bt Ashley Carty (Eng) 4-1
Ali Carter (Eng) bt Robbie Williams (Eng) 4-0
Anthony McGill (Sco) bt Fan Zhengyi (Chn) 4-1
Pang Junxu (Chn) bt Ross Muir (Sco) 4-3
Wu Yize (Chn) bt Xu Si (Chn) 4-2
Shaun Murphy (Eng) bt Jamie Clarke (Wal) 4-0
Mark Williams (Wal) bt Matthew Selt (Eng) 4-3
